South Bank's winter pop-ups

We love a good pop-up here in South Bank, and this winter we’ve got more than ever to keep your entertained!

From interactive shows to rooftop bars and those iconic riverside snow globes, here’s your essential rundown of the season’s best pop-ups - and when to catch them.

THE CURLING CLUB

WHEN: 13 Oct 2023 - 11 Feb 2024
WHERE: Beneath Hungerford Bridge (next to Southbank Centre and Jubilee Gardens)
WHAT IS IT? An indoor apres-ski-themed bar with curling lanes to play on

Gliding into South Bank again this winter, the apres-ski-themed bar The Curling Club is back under Hungerford Bridge for another season, and this year is staying open all the way until February. Book a game and throw some stones on the casual curling lanes and enjoy festive drinks and Alpine street food such as ‘dirty raclette fries’ from the bar.

ELECTRIC WINTER AT BETWEEN THE BRIDGES

WHEN: 10 Nov - 23 Dec 2023
WHERE: Next to Jubilee Gardens and Hungerford Bridge, entrance on the Queen's Walk
WHAT IS IT? A maze of connected indoor and outdoor beer halls, bars and food trucks

Between the Bridges has had its annual festive makeover and returns with the Electric Winter party extravaganza lighting up the South Bank. Feast on tasty street food from the food trucks in the courtyard, cosy up with mulled wine in the winter garden bar, shop the pop-up SoLo Christmas Craft Fair on Sundays (until 17 Dec) and party hard to the very best Christmas bangers and sparkling drag acts in the two huge, festively decorated beer halls.

WINTER MARKET

WHEN: 2 Nov - 26 Dec 2023
WHERE: On the Queen's Walk beneath Hungerford Bridge (next to the Southbank Centre)
WHAT IS IT? A classic Christmas market experience

The festive season just wouldn’t be the same without Southbank Centre’s annual Christmas market. This year there’s a huge choice of tasty food on sale from the quaint chalet stalls under Hungerford Bridge, plus a variety of mulled wine, hot chocolates and ciders available from the two open-air pop-up bars Beltane & Pop and The Thirsty Farrier.

Photo by Mickey Lee for South Bank London

JIMMY’S FIRE & FROMAGE

WHEN: 2 Nov 2023 - 1 Jan 2024
WHERE: On the Queen's Walk next to Waterloo Bridge (opposite the Southbank Centre skatepark)
WHAT IS IT? A delicious alpine pop-up dining experience

At Jimmy’s Alpine-inspired Fire & Fromage pop-up right on the riverside next to Southbank Centre there are firepits for toasting marshmallows and a mouthwatering menu of fondue, raclette and stone-cooked steaks plus fantastic wintery cocktails and of course the best mulled wine. For a special treat book a table in one of their insta-famous Snow Globes and enjoy their multi-course tasting menu.

HUMBUG

WHEN: 15 Nov 2023 - 6 Jan 2024
WHERE: Inside Leake Street graffiti tunnels (exact speakeasy entrance will be shared with you when booking)
WHAT IS IT? An immersive Christmas cabaret show meets festive speakeasy experience

For an alternative Christmas night out to remember book tickets for Leake Street's new 'immersive dive bar experience' Humbug. In addition to cabaret, Christmas sing-alongs with Santa and a wacky immersive storyline that essentially involves guests coming together to save Christmas, the bar is serving exclusive Christmas cocktails like the ‘Bah F*****g Humbug’ (made with rum, chocolate liqueur, oat milk, crushed Oreos and whipped cream, topped with a mince pie). The evening ends on a festive high with a classic Christmas disco.

CASAMIGOS WINTER TERRACE

WHEN: Until end Jan 2024
WHERE: OXO Tower Bar
WHAT IS IT? A chic winter rooftop cocktail bar with stunning views

This year’s Winter Terrace at the OXO Tower Bar is a cosy winter wonderland sponsored by premium tequila label Casamigos. Wrap up warm in one of their thick cosy blankets and enjoy some of the best rooftop riverside views while sipping on classic winter-warming cocktails. The Ticket to Paradise made with Casamigos blanco, apricot brandy, gingerbread and apple juice is the perfect match.

NUTCRACKER AT TUFF NUT JAZZ CLUB

WHEN: 28 Oct 2023 - 6 Jan 2024
WHERE: Entrance on Southbank Centre Square on Belvedere Road (Royal Festival Hall)
WHAT IS IT? A super festive music-dance show hosted in an intimate pop-up jazz club

Dive head-on into a glittering winter wonderland at this immersive reimagining of the festive classic taking place at the Tuff Nut Jazz Club, a new pop-up jazz club underneath the Royal Festival Hall. The seating and staging is super intimate bringing you right into the show and on weekends the bar stays open late after the performance for live jazz and dancing. A charming contemporary update of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet The Nutcracker, the music has been reimagined for a live onstage jazz band. Critics have loved this whimsical take, The Standard described it as "sultry, clever and a real Christmas treat".

A WINTER’S FEAST POP-UP SHOP

WHEN: 15 Nov - 31 Dec 2023
WHERE: Gabriel's Wharf
WHAT IS IT? An artist-led pop-up shop showcasing wintery-themed gifts

One of two festive season pop-up shops at the cute indie shopping destination Gabriel’s Wharf, A Winter’s Feast features the work of studio potter and lettering artist Liz Mathews, and writer, poet and playwright Frances Bingham from Potter’s Yard Arts. On sale is a delightful mix of pottery and poetry including hand-thrown and decorated festive plates, bowls and jugs, artist’s books on wintery themes and local places, lettering art on handmade paper and Thames driftwood and beautiful books from their micro-press, The Pottery Press.

GENKI DESIGNS CHRISTMAS POP-UP SHOP

WHEN: Until 31 Dec 2023
WHERE: Gabriel's Wharf
WHAT IS IT? A colourful pop-up shop specialising in sustainably and ethically sourced fashion

Sustainable fashion label Genki has popped up at Gabriel’s Wharf for the Christmas season, selling a beautiful collection of their colourful range of shirts, kimonos, tops and jumpsuits made from ethically sourced Indian fabrics. Joining them at the pop-up are three more ethical boutique labels; Rainbow Life, which sells jewellery, scarves and wellness products, glasses and sunglasses by Retro Peepers and gorgeous Christmas wreaths by florist Lani Green.

JACK & BOULE

WHEN: Open throughout winter (closed 24-29 Dec)
WHERE: On Upper Ground, behind the National Theatre and next to The Green Room restaurant
WHAT IS IT? A pop-up boules court and bar

Launched in summer 2023, this boules court behind the National Theatre has extended its run into winter. There’s now a cover over the courts and beer garden space and of course heaters to make sure you stay nice and toasty. The drinks options have also been upgraded to meet the season with the addition of the new pop-up Toddy’s Tavern serving mulled wine, hot punch, Mexican hot chocolate and a super festive Bulleit toffee apple toddy.